Over 500 people attended the funeral service of retired Ramsgate coxswain Ron Cannon MBE at St George’s Church, Ramsgate on Friday 2 February.

Amongst those attending were a large number of past and present Ramsgate lifeboat crew who had served with Ron during his 37 years with the RNLI. They formed a guard of honour as the coffin entered and left the church. Also amongst the congregation were many friends and colleagues from around the country connected with the RNLI who wished to show their deep respect for Ron, who during his time as coxswain had twice been awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for gallantry.

In all, such a large congregation was a wonderful testimony to how much Ron was admired and respected. He will always be part of Ramsgate Harbour’s history and will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege to know him. He was a dear friend, colleague and father figure to many.

Photo Steve Burton

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2nd February 2018

Spreading the Respect the Water campaign

I spent a very informative morning with Andy Mills Margate RNLI Community Safety Officer discussing #Respectthewater and all aspects of water safety. Andy has only been in the role about 8 months and as an extremely new LPO (Local Press Officer) for Ramsgate, it was great for me to sit down and discuss how to use social media in all forms to promote our mutual message, which is of course safety at sea.

Most of you have probably never heard of me before, my name is Karen Cox and I am taking over the LPO role from long term Press Officer, and extremely hard act to follow, John Ray. I was asked to take over the role when I was brought to the attention of the Ramsgate RNLI through my social media role on the committee of the local Royal Temple Yacht Club.

Being so fresh to the role it was great to exchange ideas and contacts with Andy. He is passionate about his role and keen to spread the RNLI safety messages. If you would like Andy to give a talk to your local sailing club or group then please send us a message and we will put you in touch. Or follow him on twitter on @Thanet_CommSafe.

1st February 2018

Quiz Night

Thank you to everybody who kindly supported the fundraising quiz at Grosvenor Casinos in aid of RNLI Ramsgate Lifeboat. We raised £555 thanks to the generosity of the attendees & Grosvenor Casinos. A special thank you to Glenn for being such a wonderful host & quiz master.

Photo Sarah Hewes

You can now follow us on twitter as well @RamsgateRNLI.

Help us spread the message and Save Lives at Sea.

28th January 2018

Ramsgate in Goodwin Sands Rescue

The launch of Ramsgate RNLI's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested at 3.35pm yesterday by UK Coastguard to assist a 15m. yacht aground at the Goodwin Sands.

On scene the ILB crew determined that due to the sea swell and wind conditions, the station's Trent class all weather lifeboat (AWB) would be required to tow the yacht into Ramsgate Harbour. At 3.52pm the UK Coastguard requested the launch of the AWB to assist with the tow.

On arrival on scene, the AWB crew passed a line to one of the ILB crew members that had gone aboard the yacht. Once the tow was ready the yacht's crew, with the assistance of the ILB crew member, winched the yacht's anchor aboard. When completed the AWB towed the casualty safely into Ramsgate Harbour.

Photo Ian Cannon

8th January 2018

Death of former Ramsgate RNLI Coxswain

All at Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat station are very sorry to learn of the death of Ron Cannon MBE on 7th. January, after a period of ill health.

Following family tradition Ron had been actively involved with the station for over 53 years including 37 as a crew member. He was appointed the station’s Coxswain/ Mechanic in 1976 and during his 25 years in this role was twice awarded the RNLI’s silver medal for gallantry. In the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours he was awarded the MBE for services to the RNLI.

He will be sorely missed both as a friend and a ready source of information about the RNLI and local maritime history.

Photo John Ray

22nd January 2018

For those wishing to attend Ron Cannon’s funeral service, the arrangements are as follows.

St Georges Church, RamsgateFriday 2nd February 2018

At 1:30 PM

All welcome

The family have asked no flowers, if you wish to make a donation please make it to Ramsgate RNLI or Margate Hospice.

(Please clearly state where you would like your donation to go, donations to be given to Twyman and Holmes Ramsgate)

27th December 2017

Ramsgate RNLI crew member rescues person from harbour

At 11.31am on Boxing Day the launch of Ramsgate RNLI's inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested to assist a person who had jumped into the town's inner harbour.

After a concerned member of the public reported the matter to the owners of the harbour-side Mariners Bar, knowing their connection to the RNLI, Natasha Crome telephoned to report the incident whilst her Ramsgate crew member partner Jason Crome (second mechanic and ILB helm) attended the scene opposite his Bar.

Jason waded in down the harbour access steps and pulled the person out of the water all before a full lifeboat crew had assembled. With the help of ambulance staff and fire crew, the person was carried up the steps and placed on to an awaiting stretcher.

Photo Steve Burton

24th December 2017

Ramsgate crew leave Christmas Eve event to rescue yacht

At 1.34pm on Christmas Eve the UK coastguard requested the assistance of Ramsgate RNLI's inshore lifeboat (ILB) to a small yacht in difficulty with no engine on Ramsgate's main beach.

The crew, who were just gathering to begin enjoying a Christmas Eve social afternoon at the harbour-side Mariners Bar left their families and a superb buffet, to come to the aid of the lone yachtsman.

After leaving the harbour the ILB crew found the casualty was clear of the beach but not making way to the harbour. The ILB came alongside and offered to tow the yacht into the harbour, but the lone crewman on board the casualty declined. Two of the four ILB crew transferred to the casualty to explain the need for a tow, with the ILB remaining on scene. After approximately some 45 minutes and after drifting even further from Ramsgate, the casualty eventually accepted the ILB tow and was finally towed safely into harbour and placed on a berth.

After berthing the yacht and returning the ILB to the boathouse the RNLI crew and shore helpers rejoined their families!

Photo Phil Mace

20th December 2017

Ramsgate Christmas illuminations raise money for the RNLI

Ramsgate RNLI's management committee chairman, Eric Burton, attended a presentations evening on Friday last at the Royal Temple Yacht Club where he was presented with a cheque for £400 from money raised by the Ramsgate Illuminations.

This event has grown in popularity since it started four years ago attracting many visitors and all local media to Ramsgate' Royal Harbour. Many boat and business owners in and around the harbour decorate their premises and vessels throughout December and money raised is collected by the Ramsgate Town Team and donated to the RNLI. The event has grown over the last four years and this year 82 boats, including reserve Mersey class lifeboat Lady of Hilbre, took part which is a record number.

Other than on special occasions it is unusual to see four all weather lifeboats in one location anywhere outside of the RNLI's Poole HQ but visitors to Ramsgate's Royal Harbour on Sunday were able to see four.

Pictured from left to right moored alongside Ramsgate RNLI's lifeboat station are nearby Margate RNLI's Mersey 12-20 Leonard Kent, just visiting, and the station's Trent 14-02 Esme Anderson. Alongside that is relief Trent 14-12 Forward Birmingham, in the relief fleet since 2008 having previously been the Exmouth station boat since 1996 and which has been covering at Ramsgate during the refit of the station boat.

On the quay behind is the relief Mersey 12-005 Lady of Hilbre which has been in the relief fleet since 2014, having previously been the Hoylake station boat since 1990, and spending time at Ramsgate until called into service as a station relief.

Photo Steve Burton

16th November 2017

Ramsgate assist windfarm guardship

On 13th November at 5:35am Ramsgate RNLI's Trent class all weather lifeboat (AWB) launched to assist a 23m. Thanet Offshore Windfarm guard vessel with engine failure 9 miles east of Ramsgate.

Another guard vessel was attempting to tow it without much success due to the wind and tide. On scene the volunteer RNLI AWB crew took over the tow and brought the vessel into Ramsgate Harbour.

Once in the outer harbour, at 9.03am, the AWB requested the assistance of the station's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB) to assist with mooring the casualty vessel alongside the commercial quay due to its weight and windage.

Photo Mark Stanford

Support the Ramsgate Lifeboat through the Thanet Lottery

Have you bought a ticket yet? Chance to win £25,000, Opportunity to show your support to RNLI Ramsgate Lifeboat. First Draw 9th December, don't miss out, go to www.thanetlotto.co.uk & select RNLI.

Your support would be very much appreciated.

Choose us as your Co-op local cause

Please support RNLI Ramsgate Lifeboat when you shop at the Co-op with your members card.

Ron Cannon, an active RNLI volunteer for 53 years and former coxswain of Ramsgate lifeboat, was presented with an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen on Friday last (13 October) for his services to the charity that saves lives at sea.

He was a crew member on Ramsgate lifeboat at one of the busiest stations in Britain for 37 years – and the coxswain for 25 of those. During his time at the helm of Ramsgate lifeboat he was awarded two Silver Gallantry medals - the RNLI’s second-highest honour. Following family tradition, Ron joined Ramsgate lifeboat crew in 1964, and was appointed the station’s coxswain/mechanic in 1976, at the time the RNLI’s youngest coxswain. This was shortly before the arrival at the station of the RNLI’s Waveney class lifeboat Ralph and Joy Swann, a new and advanced lifeboat design based upon a vessel proven by the US Coastguard.

He was twice awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for his ‘truly outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage’ for rescues. The first was during the evening of Boxing Day 1985 when he and his volunteer lifeboat crew members managed to save a French trawler and its seven-man crew when the trawler had run aground in Ramsgate’s Pegwell Bay. The second was in November 1999, when he led his crew to rescue the three-person crew of a yacht aground on the Goodwin Sands in difficult and dangerous conditions. For each of these rescues he was also presented with The Maud Smith Award for that year’s bravest act of lifesaving by a lifeboat crew member.

Ron retired as coxswain in 2001 and was succeeded by his eldest son Ian. He maintained his association with Ramsgate lifeboat station firstly as a Deputy Launching Authority and subsequently as Lifeboat Operations Manager until he reached the RNLI’s required retirement age. His active support for the RNLI and the station continues, however, as President of the station’s management committee.

13th October 2017

Broadstairs RNLI sales volunteers celebrate a successful season

The RNLI sales kiosk volunteers who had worked hard during the summer season in Broadstairs had an end of season get together yesterday to celebrate their success.

The event was kindly hosted by the Broadstairs Sailing Club who provide the free use of the kiosk for the RNLI to sell souvenirs. Also in attendance was Amanda Champs, the RNLI Margate Shop Manager who kindly supplied the stock for the kiosk.

A presentation of a framed photo taken by Ramsgate Lifeboat Treasurer, Steve Burton, was presented to Sailing Club Commodore Pat Clarke by the kiosk manager, Jean Hefford, as a thank you to the Sailing Club for all their support.

Jean Hefford announced that the kiosk had taken in excess of £5,000 during the season and thanked all the kiosk volunteers, Amanda Champs and the Broadstairs Sailing Club for all their hard work and support.

Photo Sarah Hewes

2nd October 2017

Successful Fish Supper at Ramsgate

Many thanks to everyone who supported our sell-out Fish Supper at the lifeboat station on Saturday last.

It was a most enjoyable and successful evening resulting in £483.40 being raised towards the work of the RNLI. £25 worth of Ramsgate lifeboat calendars were also sold.

Special thanks to the local prize winning Newington Fish Bar for supplying the wonderful food and for their very kind donation. The entertainment was provided by the awesome Greyhound Buskers, they were just outstanding and performed a much requested encore. They also presented us with an extremely generous donation of £100.

Photo Sarah Hewes

Ramsgate Lifeboat Calendar 2018

The Ramsgate Lifeboat Calendar for 2018 is now available at £5.00 each (now reduced to £3). They are available from the RNLI Ramsgate Shop, Broadstairs Kiosk, Mariners Bar, Royal Temple Yacht Club, Coco Latino & Your Bar & Grill. They will also be available on eBay, delcampe & eBid.

Many thanks to all the locations who have kindly agreed to sell them for us & to all the contributes who have kindly agreed for us to feature their photographs in the calendar.

You are very welcome to link to this site, though any form of duplication requires written consent from me unless otherwise stated.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736).Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

Disclaimer

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